Mattiuz presents PA Farm Bureau update to Elk County Commissioners
WEEDVILLE- At the Elk County Commissioners meeting held at the Bennetts Valley Community Center on April 18th, Ernie Mattiuz, Governmental Relations Director for the PA Farm Bureau (PFB), presented an update on issues, trends, and proposed state and federal legislation that deals with agriculture.
“We’re the largest general agricultural grassroots organization in the state with just under 20,000 members. Our main focus is to advocate on behalf of our members for legislation that pertains not only to agriculture but our rural lifestyle here in Pennsylvania. Being a grassroots organization, our policies are developed by our membership and voted on in a meeting before they become a policy of the PFB. Our policies cover agriculture, government affairs, infrastructure, safety and health, tourism, and just about every aspect of life here in Pennsylvania. What I want to do here today is go over 6 main issues that our membership has decided are important to them. They are Dairy, Energy, the Environment, the Farm Bill, Labor, and Wildlife.”
Mattiuz remarked that the dairy industry has been greatly challenged in recent years, particularly by federal regulations removing whole milk from schools and requiring skim milk to be offered to reduce childhood obesity. The PFB supports legislation that would allow whole milk and 2% flavored and unflavored milk in back in schools. The 21 essential minerals and 13 vitamins in full fat dairy are necessary for healthy childhood development.
Mattiuz compared census data from 2017 that listed the number of farms in Elk County as 232 and compared it to 193 farms reported in Elk County in 2022. In particular, he pointed out that there are currently only 3 dairy farms in Elk County, as compared to 7 in 2022. The cost of production and transportation to processing plants, compounded by low milk prices and less demand for dairy products has forced many dairy farms to close.
Concerning the growth of renewable energy, the PFB believes that there must be parameters in place to ensure the expansion is occurring in conjunction with agriculture, and not to its detriment. In addition, the members oppose the installation of commercial solar projects and windmills on certain classes of farmlands.
Mattiuz commented that farmers have made voluntary investments in conservation programs that have led to cleaner air and water and preservation of the land. PFB policy wants to raise awareness of climate-smart practices and ensure that industries
also do their share to protect the environment.
“The Farm Bill is the most important piece of legislation for agriculture because producers and processors are not the only ones impacted by this legislation. American consumers rely on a robust Farm Bill to ensure they will be able to put food on the table, and a new farm bill must be passed by Sept. 30, 2024, to ensure food security, which is national security,” according to Priorities of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for 2024. Mattiuz pointed out that the Farm Bill also covers funding for various social programs, such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and other food assistance programs.
As far as labor issues
are concerned, the agricultural industry has been struggling with maintaining a reliable workforce long before the onset of COVID, which compounded and expanded the problem to include a wide variety of industries. Not having enough reliable workers necessitates importing agricultural products at greater costs which are passed on to consumers.
According to the PA Game Commission, there are more than 480 species of wild birds and mammals in Pennsylvania, and the PFB members advocate responsible and effective management of them. They will work to improve trespassing laws
and permits for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to control wildlife damage to their crops and property. The PFB is advocating for an agricultural seat on the PA Game Commission and the PA Fish and Boat Commission to ensure they have input on the management of wildlife.
Mattiuz concluded by pointing out that the market value of agricultural products sold in Elk County in 2017 was $4,024,000.00 and currently, despite the decreasing number of farms, the market value of agricultural products has risen to $5,112,000.00, which is remarkable for our county.